As the Bangladesh-Ireland first T20 in Sylhet draws to a close, the thrill increases. Sometimes the match started tilting towards Bangladesh, sometimes towards the Irish. Ireland had the last laugh in the match.
If they win, Bangladesh women's cricket team will chase the highest run in their history in T20. Because Bangladesh had won the T20I in September 2023 by chasing 146 runs against Sri Lanka. Chasing 170 runs today, Sylhet had a great chance to win. In the end, Bangladesh lost by 12 runs. Ireland lead the three-match T20I series 1-0.
Bangladesh started batting against the target of 170 runs given by Ireland. Dilara Akhtar and Sobhana Mostari contributed to the opening partnership of 103 runs off 72 balls. The pair were largely courtesy of Ireland's fielding misses and catch misses. The Irish fielders continued to catch the ball repeatedly in the sky. Orla Prendergast broke the opening pair by sending back Sobhana in the last ball of the 12th over. Sobhana scored 46 runs off 35 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes.
After breaking the opening pair for 103 runs, Bangladesh lost their way. Along with losing wickets at regular intervals, Bangladesh's pace of scoring runs per over also decreased. The hosts became 137 runs for 4 wickets in 17 overs. With time, the match became difficult for Bangladesh. With 6 wickets in hand in the last two overs, the hosts needed 18 runs. At that time Prendergast bowled a great over. Maiden gave in the 19th over. Got 2 wickets. In the end, Bangladesh were stuck at 157 runs for 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Dilara scored the maximum 49 runs in Bangladesh's innings. He hit two fours and a six in an innings of 41 balls. Sharmin Akhtar Supta was unbeaten on 23 off 13 balls but it was in vain. Prendergast and Arlen Kelly took three wickets each. Ireland's middle order batsman Leah Paul was the man of the match. Paul remained unbeaten with 79 runs in 45 balls innings with 10 fours and 2 sixes.
Ireland captain Gabby Lewis won the toss and decided to bat first. Ireland scored 169 runs for 5 wickets in the scheduled 20 overs. Paul's 79 runs are the highest in the Irish innings. Jahanara, Fariha, Jannatul, Nahida Akhtar of Bangladesh took 1 wicket each. The remaining 1 wicket was run out. Each bowled 4 overs. Nahida gave the least 20 runs among them. This is Ireland's highest run score in a T20 against Bangladesh.
